“Ongoing climate change will likely affect visitor experience in many of our national parks as well as how we manage our resources,” Monahan said. “We might be experiencing unusually high temperatures, such as heat waves, during summer months when we tend to have peak visitation at our parks. Continue reading

Below is an e-mail I recently sent to Councillor Mary Fragedakis regarding the proposed expansion (by Porter Airlines) of airport services on Toronto Island to include Jets. Clearly, I am in opposition of the expansion. Regardless of how you feel, I urge you to contact Councillor Fragedakis and let her know your thoughts. Continue reading

Taken a few days ago, you can clearly see the shape of the pleasure rink with it’s rounded triangular surface with an island in the middle. On the east side of the fieldhouse, you can now see progress on the portico as the steel beams go up.

All the curves of the pleasure rink have a radius of at least 23 feet. Any less and the Zamboni would not be able to clean the ice.

You can clearly see the “island” in the middle of the rink.

Looking east towards the fieldhouse. The wall has been taken out and will soon be replaced with a glass curtain.

The portico on the east entrance door of the fieldhouse is taking shape.

It’s been a long time coming, but construction of new Artificial Ice Rink (A.I.R) is underway. Click here for some background and here for a list of suggested improvements and comments from FODP.

The rink, which is is presently in place, was built some 40 years ago and has come to the end of it’s life cycle. The new rink – slightly re-aligned and expanded – will be ready for skating this winter. The fieldhouse, also some forty years old, will receive a major facelift and all new mechanicals to service the ice surface and make it more comfortable and user friendly for the many skaters who use the facility every winter. (See photos below) Councillor for Ward 29 – Mary Fragedakis – has been working very hard with the Parks people and project manager to get this project underway … thanks Mary! Continue reading

Richard Louv is Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Children & Nature Network. He is the author of eight books, including “The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age” and “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” which have been translated into 12 languages and published in 17 countries.

Sitting is the new smoking. That’s a useful new buzz-phrase for what some health experts are calling the “pandemic of inactivity.” Continue reading